Al‑Nassr Supporters Roar Over Iñigo Martínez’ Omission Ahead of the Al‑Ittihad Showdown

When the line‑up for Al‑Nassr’s upcoming Saudi Pro League clash with Al‑Ittihad was revealed, a murmur turned into a full‑blown outcry among the club’s supporters. The name that was missing? Iñigo Martínez – a proven defender and, many argue, a key partner for Cristiano Ronaldo in the attack.

Coach Ange Postecoglou opted to stick with Nawaf Al‑Aqidi between the sticks, while the defensive trio of Nawaf Boushal, Salem Alnajdi, Abdulelah Al‑Amri and Mohamed Simakan formed the back‑line. On the flanks, the likes of Sadio Mané and Kingsley Coman prowled, and midfield duties fell to Samu Costa and Ângelo. Up front, João Félix was slotted just behind the ever‑present Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to lead the line with his trademark poise.

Fans on Twitter didn’t hold back. One user wrote, “Why do they keep starting Al‑najdi? Put on Martínez. Are you kidding me?” Another chimed in, “Not playing Martínez at left‑back might cost us.” The sentiment was unanimous: the decision felt “stupid”, “unjust”, and potentially costly in a match that could decide the league’s top spot.

Even former Al‑Nassr star Ibrahim Al‑Issa weighed in, predicting a win for the defending champions but stressing the importance of squad harmony. “Al‑Nassr is stable, has a good coach, and we saw them perform well in the previous match. Players like João Félix, Sadio Mané, and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo make a huge difference,” he said.

Ronaldo himself has already netted two goals in the first three league games this season, quickly becoming the club’s all‑time top scorer in the Saudi Pro League. After a recent victory over Al‑Taawoun, he praised his teammates, noting that any personal milestone was a collective effort.

Behind the scenes, the timing is interesting. Ronaldo is in the final 12 months of his contract with Al‑Nassr and has hinted that he may call time on his Riyadh adventure soon. Whether Martínez’ omission was a tactical tweak, a fitness precaution, or something else entirely, the backlash shows just how passionate the fanbase is when it comes to fielding the strongest possible XI.

As the match approaches, the question lingers: will Postecoglou stick with his chosen line‑up, or will the pressure from supporters force a last‑minute reshuffle? One thing is clear – Al‑Nassr supporters will be watching every substitution with a keen eye, hoping their legends get the minutes they deserve.